Cold diffusion apparatus



Nov. 3, 1936. FRENCH 2,059,686

GOLD DIFFUSION APPARATUS Filed Jan. 16, 1935 IN VEN TOR.

DONALD FRENCH A TTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 3, 1936 COLD DIFFUSION APPARATUS Donald French, Summit, N. J assignor to Carrier Engineering Corporation, Newark, N. J., a corporation of New York Application January 16, 1935, Serial No. 2,105

9 Claims. '(01. 62-103) This invention relates to cold diffusers and.

more particularly to a new and improved system of cold diffusion and air circulation in refrigerators, cold storage rooms and similar 6 areas.

The general object of the invention is to provide a simple, compact and relatively inexpensive apparatus which may. be suspended in the ceiling area of an enclosure and supply condi- 20 a room by a unit apparatus capable of dehumidifying air to a proper dewpoint and circulating the air outwardly from the unit whereby the air will travel in a plurality of directions from the unit but substantially in a horizontal 25 plane parallel to the floor of the room.

Another object is to provide a method of air circulation in which air is withdrawn from one portion of a room, circulated downwardly in a vertical direction and then discharged outwardly in a horizontal direction.

A further object provides for controlling the circulation of air in a room by causing a volume of air to move vertically downwardly, and then discharging it outwardly at an angle to the horizontal, whereby the air will proceed toward the ceiling level or the floor level.

A feature of the invention resides in the provision of cooling means, a fan for forcing air in contact with the cooling means and against a 4 fiat deflector plate beneath the cooling means.

Another feature of the invention resides in the combination of a pan and a deflector plate,

the plate being above the pan and slightly smaller than the pan, the space between the 45 edges of the plate and the upturned edges of the pan serving as a passageway for water flowing from the plate to the pan.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a screen covering the deflector 50 plate, to prevent spattering of the drops of water condensed from the air impinging against the plate.

Another feature of the invention resides in moving the plate andpan nearer to or farther 05 away from the cooling means, whereby the velocity of air discharged into the room may be controlled.

A further feature of the invention resides in "adjusting the deflector plate with respect to the pan, whereby the direction of the air discharged 5 into the room may be controlled.

Still another feature of the invention resides in the positioning of a cooling unit centrally within an area to be refrigerated, and supplying conditioned air from the unit to all parts of the area.

Other objects and features of the invention which make for economy and simplicity in installation, and for economy, flexibility and efficiency in operation, will be apparent from the following specification, to be read in connection with the accompanyin drawing, of an illustrative form of the inven ion in -which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view, illustrating the use of the invention in connection with an area to be conditioned, and

Fig. 2 is an elevationalview, partly in section, of a preferred form of the invention.

Referring now to the drawing, the numeral 5 designates a casing, open at top and bottom, withiri which are positioned cooling coils 6 of the spiral finned or other desired type. Brine, ammonia, methyl chloride, or other suitable refrigerant is supplied to coils fi'from suitable re- I frigerating apparatus'mot shown) through inlet 1 and withdrawn therefrom through outlet 8. In a preferred form of the invention, the easing 5, is square, and issuspended from ceiling 9 of the refrigeration room by a support ill in each corner of the casing. Mounted over the cooling coils 6, and directed to blow air downwardly over them, is fan II. Fan II is driven by a motor I 2, suitably mounted, as by means of supports l3, and supplied'with current from anysuitable source.

Extending downwardly fromeach corner of the casing 5 are legs l4, so mounted as to be adjustable with respect to casing 5. As illustrated, a slot l5, formed in the leg l4, cooperates with a screw 16 extending therethrough. When screw I6 is loosened, leg I4 is freely adjustable, and when screw it is tightened, leg I4 is held securely against casing 5 in any desired position.

A pan ll, wider than the casing 5, is carried at the lower extremity of legs M. A false bottom 60 I8 provides an air space l9, which serves as an insulating means and prevents sweating on the outside of the panll. A flat deflector plate 20 is carried on legs l4, near the lower extremity thereof, and may be adjustably positioned by means of slots 2| and screws 22. Thedimensions of the plate are slightly smaller than those of the pan H, to provide a space 23 between the edge of the plate 20 and the upturned edges of pan l1. Normally, the plate 28 is on a level with the upturned edges of pan [1. A wire screen 24, or mesh of suitable material, covers the top of deflector plate 20.

In operation, air is drawn into the unit through the top thereof from all sides, and is blown vertically downwardly through casing 5 by fan H. The air, in contacting coils 6, is cooled and dehumidifled. When the air impinges against plate 20, it mushrooms and is distributed through-- out the room. In most cold storage rooms, it is of the utmost importance that space be conserved. In refrigerating such rooms, it is usually desirable, and sometimes necessary, to distribute air in the smallest possible space between the ceiling of the room and racks, such as 25, on which may be hung or piled, products to be preserved. When plate 20 is adjusted to be on a level with the top of the upturned edges of pan H, the air leaving the unit is discharged in a horizontal direction. In this way, applicant provides for the most effective distribution of air throughout the room in the least vertical space.

Under certain circumstances, it may be desirable to discharge air from the unit at an angle to the horizontal. Thus, if produce is piled or stacked higher than the outlet of the unit, it may be desirable to discharge air with an upward as well as a horizontal component, in order that air may be distributed over the tops of the stacks. In such case, plate 20 is adjusted in a position slightly below the level of the upturned edges of pan l1, and the air leaving the unit is given an upward directional eifect. If it is desired to direct air downwardly upon produce in the room, as might be the case when beef carcasses or the like are stored or refrigerated, the plate 20 would be raised to a position slightly above the level of the upturned edges of pan l1, and the air leaving the unit would then have a downward as well as a horizontal component. Thus, it will be seen that the invention provides for the discharge of air into a room either substantially horizontally or at a desired angle to the horizontal, and that the upturned edges of pan l'l, serve as deflector means.

Under varying circumstances, it may be desired to change the velocity of air issuing from the unit. Thus, when the unit is used in a small room or when produce is stored toward the center of the room, a low velocity might be preferable, while if the unit were used in a large room, or produce were stored throughout the room, a high velocity might be preferable. The velocity may be controlled by raising or lowering together the legs M, the pan l1 and battle plate 20, so that the discharge area will be decreased or increased. As the discharge area is decreased, the velocity of the air is proportionately increased, so'long as the volume of air handled remains constant, and vice versa. Thus, control of velocity, as well as of direction, is afforded by the invention.

As the air passing in contact with coils ,6 is cooled below its dewpoint, water is condensed therefrom. If this water were blown against a smooth surface, it would spatter, and fine particles of water would be carried along with the air stream into the enclosure. Accordingly, applicant covers the top of deflector plate 20 with a screen 24. This screen effectively prevents spatforth, which embody the invention, may be made without departing from its scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a unit for supplying conditioned air to an enclosure, a flat plate, a pan, said plate being substantially at the level of the top of the upturned edgesof said pan, means for cooling air and means for impinging the air against said plate whereby the air will be deflected by said plate, condensate from the air flowing from said plate into said pan.

2. In a unit of the character described, a flat plate, a pan, means for supporting said pan beneath said plate in relation to receive condensate from said plate, a screen covering said plate, means for cooling air and means for impinging it against said plate, said screen serving to eliminate splashing of water condensed from the air and impinging against the plate.

3. In an air conditioning and distributing unit, a flat plate, a pan with upturned edges, the pan being positioned beneath the plate, the opening at the top of said pan being larger than said plate, means for impinging air against the upper surface of said plate, and means for adjustably positioning said plate with respect to the top of the upturned edges of said pan, whereby the direction of air leaving the unit may be controlled.

4. In an air distributing unit, a fiat plate, deflector means proximate the periphery of said plate, means for impinging air against said plate and means for adjustably positioning said plate I with respect to said deflector means, whereby the direction of air leaving the unit may be varied.

5. In a unit for supplying air to an enclosure, a casing, a flat plate adjacent the discharge opening of said casing, a pan, means for supporting said pan beneath said plate in relation to receive condensate from said plate, the edges of said plate being proximate the upper edges of said pan, means for forcing air through said casing and against said plate, means for adjustably positioning said plate, and means for adjustably positioning said pan, the adjustment of said plate and said pan controlling the velocity and direction of air discharge.

6. A combination of apparatus of the character described, comprising a. casing, a. fan integral with the casing, a plate spaced from and secured to the casing, a pan positioned beneath the'plate, all said means comprising a unit, brackets for suspending the unit at a desired distance from the floor level of an area wherein it may be positioned, the fan being arranged to draw air into the casing and discharge it in a vertical direction against the upper surface of the plate, the plate being horizontally positioned.

7. A cold diffuser comprising a casing, dehumidifying means within the casing, a fan for aocacsc blowing air in contact with the dehumidifying means, a, plate, horizontally positioned beneath the casing, against which the air impinges, means on the plate for preventing spatter of condensate falling upon the plate, a pan positioned beneath the plate, the pan having edges spaced from the plate, means for adjusting the position of the pan with respect to the plate, air passing through the unit impinging upon the plate and leaving the plate in a direction determined by the position of the pan with respect to the plate, the condensate being removed from the plate and deposited within the pan by the movement of the air.

8. In a unit of the character described, heat exchange means, a surface, a screen covering said surface, means for passing air in contact with said heat exchange means and for impinging it against said surface, whereby the air will be defiected by said surface, said screen serving to eliminate splashing of water condensed from the air and impinging against said surface.

9. In a unit of the character described, a casing, heat exchange means within said casing, a

pan, means for adjustably mounting said pan beneath said casing in relation to receive condensate precipitated by said heat exchange means, whereby the pan may be adjustably positionecl with respect to the lowest part of said casing, and means for circulating air downwardly through said casing, the position of said pan with respect to said'casing determining the velocity at which air is discharged from the unit.

DONALD FRENCH. 

